HUGH MILTON STEPHENSON

Adjust Text Size: A+ A-

HUGH MILTON STEPHENSON Hugh Milton Stephenson, family man, entrepreneur and community supporter, died peacefully in his sleep, in the early hours of March 8, 2009 at the Brandon Regional Health Centre, Brandon, Manitoba. Hugh was born in Minnedosa, Manitoba in the summer of 1920, the second son of Margaret Jane Trott and Robert Roy Stephenson. As his brother died in infancy, Hugh grew up an only child, a product of The Depression. Hugh learned the value of family at his parents' knees when they took in his cousin, Wellington McRae and raised him as their own. As his parents and his aunts aged, he cared for and attended to these loved ones in a way that inspired and impressed on his daughters the importance of family. Hugh always said he married one, and got a harem... and that he did. Hugh and Evelyn Jean Watson were married in 1949 and had three daughters whom he loved dearly. His daughters sometimes thought he loved his sons-in-law even more. While he taught his daughters to dance, drive, skate and water ski on the lake in Minnedosa, how to be involved citizens and how to be part of the give and take of a marriage partnership (such as his rule of never going to bed mad), there was nothing he liked better than a game of crib, bridge or golf with any or all of his sons-in-law. He never missed an opportunity to toast his sons-in-law and restate how lucky he was that his daughters made such good choices. Hugh showed his independence and determination early, beginning a paper route at age 11. While working for the Royal Bank of Canada (Minnedosa, Clanwilliam, McCreary, Birtle and Winnipeg) the war broke out and Hugh served as a meteorologist (Port Hardy) and physical training instructor (Borden and Rivers) in the Air Force during the Second World War. After the war, he worked with his father in their Studebaker dealership while running a coal business in Minnedosa. After taking over the business and changing over to General Motors, he also was a partner in a piggery, and operated Valley River Bus Lines, which served Rolling River School Division. When the school division decided to run their own buses, Hugh sold the Stephenson's Motors building to the school division and soon after moved Jean and Pat to Brandon where he worked as Sales Manager for both Murray Chev Olds and Fowler Pontiac Buick GMC. After retiring a second time, Hugh went back to school and acquired a Mutual Fund License and thoroughly enjoyed this new connection with people. Hugh was a Master of the Minnedosa Masonic Lodge, a Rotarian and a town councillor and also served as Mayor of Minnedosa from 1969 through 1971, when he ran on Liberal ticket with Izzy Asper. Always ready to serve the community in some capacity, Hugh became a member of the Shrine and served as an Elder at First Presbyterian Church after the move to Brandon. Hugh never lost his love of and his interest in the happenings in his hometown and was thrilled to be asked to return as an Honourary Guest as a past mayor at the 125th Anniversary Celebrations in the summer of 2008. He thoroughly enjoyed the visits he had with his fellow Minnedosans that week. Predeceased by his beloved daughter, PJ Patricia Jean, Hugh is lovingly remembered by his wife Jean; his daughters and sons-in-law: Ruth and Dan Wiwchar, Dianne and David Sjoberg and Brian Cottom; grandchildren: Stephen (Lisa) Wiwchar, Michael (Mara) Wiwchar, Kate, Erik (Shelley Hymers) and Joshua (Summer Armitt) Sjoberg, and Kyla and Lauren Cottom. The ceremony to celebrate Hugh's life will be held on Friday, March 13, 2009 at 2:00 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church, 339 12th Street, Brandon. The Rev. Dr. Dong-Ha Kim and Arlene Robertson will officiate. Family interment will take place at the Minnedosa Cemetery, Minnedosa. In lieu of flowers, a gift to one of the following would be appreciated: First Presbyterian Church Foundation, 339 12th Street, Brandon, Manitoba R7A 4M3 or the Minnedosa Rink Project, in care of E. Maguire, Minnedosa, Manitoba R0J 1E0, to support Hugh's home town; or the BRHC Foundation, 150 McTavish Avenue East, Brandon, Manitoba R7A 2B3, one of Pat's favourite charities. Expressions of sympathy may be made at www.memorieschapel.com Arrangements are with Memories Chapel Pre-Planning Centre, (204) 727-0330.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Mar 11, 2009